All aboard the Viking Boat by
danielleLERNER & brianZHAO
Concealed under the concrete base of our Viking Boat lies a relic of Lynbrook’s past, a 40-year-old time capsule, buried by the class of 1970. This coming summer, when construction begins, the class of ’70 plans to uncover this important piece of Viking history for the first time. The Viking Boat that resides outside the Cove was originally built by students from the class of 1970 as a gift to the school. Last year, National Honor Society (NHS) proposed not only retrieving the time capsule, but also building a new boat, as a large crack had formed down its middle. “It was becoming unsafe, so it was going to be demolished anyway,� said Steve Chamberlain, Lynbrook’s facilities manager. NHS then contacted architect Scott McCurry, who offered to provide his services for free in a joint effort project along with the school board, the district, and the PTSA. The PTSA has allocated $4,000 dollars from its own funds to the project, and has raised $2,612 so far this year through parent donations to fund the demolition and installation of water pipes near the new monument. Chamberlain estimates that the cost of the process will be between $20,000 and $25,000. Principal Gail Davidson says she and NHS began exploring ideas for the new viking boat last spring. The concept was to create a monument that still incorporated the plaques in a place where students could hang out, and at the same time be much more spacious. Davidson explains, “We wanted something classy, but also something that would stand the test of time and continue to be a
place where students can gather.� Reinforcing Davidson’s words is 1970 Lynbrook alumnus Pat Kruse. Speaking on behalf of her classmates, she says, that they “absolutely agree with the decision to rebuild. [The Viking Boat] has become a primary meeting place for students and also speaks to our Viking roots.� At their class reunion on Oct. 9, the alumni solicited donations from their classmates to fund the project, which they have dubbed the “Save Our Ship� campaign. Their ideas, as well as the money raised will be presented at the PTSA meeting on Nov. 9. While they stand behind the decision to rebuild the beloved Viking Boat, the class of 1970 feels they have made a positive impact and will not be forgotten. Kruse explains, “We made this boat as a symbol of our time in high school. Other classes followed suit by adding their own plaque – incredible in that these classes were also acknowledging the symbolism and significance of their time at LHS. The boat is placed in such a prominent location as one enters the campus that we are sure it holds USED WITH PERMISSION OF SCOTT MCCURY quite a special place in many people’s hearts. We wanted to leave our ‘mark’ and have something that deThis bird’s eye view of Lynpicted our legacy.� brook’s new viking boat design. The alumni plan to uncover their time capsule this summer at Construction is set to start next the construction groundbreaking with the help of the PTSA and the summer. Lynbrook ASB.
LIGHTS|Opposition postpones construction continued from pg 1 approved and implemented, the community will no longer be able to give their input on extracurricular or out-of-district-teams field usage. Davidson responds by clarifying that community activities related to the new fields will be clearly drawn out after the EIR is passed. For school-related activities, stadium lights on the football field would be in use 6 days a week until 9 p.m., with the exception of football games, which would last until 10:30 pm. Marching Band, which would benefit from the stadium lights, has always practiced at Cupertino High School on Satrudays evenings with lights. Band teacher John Felder explains, “The community at Cupertino has to deal with two marching band rehearsals and at least two games every week—that’s five nights of sound and light a week.� LMU believes that a middle ground could be achieved by installing lower-level lights that equally facilitate practice. Since Cupertino is currently in the process of reno-
vating their fields, the band has rehearsals at Lynbrook on Monday and Wednesday nights, with district-rented four portable light standards. However, Davidson says that these lower-level lights have an increased spill and would not be as safe for late-night football games. Instead of spending funds on lights, LMU wants to consider improving some of the FUHSD’s unfunded projects, such as building new classrooms and installing increased fire detection technology, to prevent a repeat of the arson at Trace Elementary School this summer. Measure B bond money is allocated based on a districtwide master plan outlining the immediate and longer range needs at all district schools. It includes funds for increased campus security, and the improved multi-use tracks and fields are a priority and part of the stated improvements the community voted for when they passed the bond. Davidson emphasizes that a status quo of consistency does not apply here because “the situation has certainly changed.� 40 years ago, Lynbrook was a “much smaller school.
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There were no competitive sports for girls in 1965. The total number of sports and athletes has greatly increased in the last 40 years,� says Davidson. Regarding the changes, PTSA President Deborah Ward adds, “Lynbrook High School is a very important part of this community; our house prices reflect the excellence of the school and updating the amenities is necessary to keep us competitive with the other schools in the area.� She also echoed a sentiment shared by many of the community members at the Sept. 23 Lynbrook track and field meeting meeting that she “would like to see [the stadium lights] completed as soon as possible.� In the meantime, LMU is waiting for replies from EIR, keeping the Murdock Neighborhood Association updated with the latest progress and consulting with an attorney for advice. Leader in LMU and resident of the Monta Vista community, Dave Radtke says, “We can understand that high school students would back a plan that would include lighted fields. But we do expect better from adults, whether [they be] parents, administrators, or others, when they realize that these neighborhoods are opposed to them.�